Leigh RUFC

Leigh ended their season in style with a thrilling victory over fourth placed Wirral. Lacking nine first choice selections, this win was fashioned in the qualities of their retiring coach Vila Matautia, in terms of honesty, effort and integrity. The players who came in to the side stood up manfully on the day. Iain Talou and Max Prescott worked hard in the scrimmage, while veterans Mark Lester and Karl Lawrenson defied the years. Special mention must go to Anthony Peters who carried strongly to keep the visitors under pressure.

Leigh started strongly and were quickly on the board when Peters crashed over. This was immediately followed when Elliot Ryan counter attacked to send Jermaine Allen on a fifty metre run to the posts. Wirral hit back with two penalties and a converted try to snatch a narrow lead. Leigh responded when David Wood kicked behind the defence for Jason Carson to take the bounce and cut inside the full-back to score. Ryan added the conversion and a good penalty to put Leigh 22---13 at the break.

Wirral kicked a penalty before the Leigh forwards powered over for Chris Cowley to score. Ryan converted before the visitors regained control with two converted tries. Leigh now looked beaten, but summoned up their last ounces of energy to win the vital penalty which Elliott Ryan converted for a famous win to end an excellent season on a high.